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Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 20:14:03 GMT
From: "Michael" <michaelnopsamam.net>
Subject: Re: Saab advice


At the end of my '98 C230 lease, I bought a 2001 9-3. Although I prefer the 9-3, it doesn't compare to Mercedes IMHO when it comes to quality, reliability and customer service. If you hate rattles, then the current 9-3 is not for you; and I suspect any hatchbatch would not be for you. I have had numerous rattles in my 9-3, the most annoying of which have been addressed by either the dealer, or applying fixes found at www.saabnet.com. However, this was over 3 service visits during the first 10,000 miles and countless hours of my own time - and the car still does not have that solid Mercedes feel. By contrast, I had one rattle on my '98 C230 that was fixed on the first attempt by the Mercedes dealer (per the workorder, they actually took apart the rear seat, lined various pieces with felt, and re-assembled the seat). Good luck finding that at a Saab dealer. Saab's dealer network is pretty poor - although I lucked out and have a very good dealer within 20 miles. The minute they give up on the franchise - and I suspect without pressure from GM, they already would have - I am selling my Saab. AFAIK, at least in the U.S., the 9-3 does not have an OEM GPS option nor an adaptive automatic transmission (BTW, it is a Japanese built 4-speed). However, I believe both will be fixed with the 2003 9-3 Sport Sedan. I don't mean to sound negative about my Saab - actually, I like it very much. But for the criteria you mentioned, Mercedes would seem like a better choice. With the Saab, it seems to me, you trade some quality and customer service issues for a car that is much more fun to drive, is much more practical (you can't beat the hatch) and is more unique. Michael "somebody" <somebodynopsamwhere.com> wrote in message news:agrldc$pk$1nopsamdoo.fr... > I recently bought a Mercedes C-Class Sportcoupe which was a huge mistake as > the quality, reliability and customer service is shocking and I have made a > buy-back request to Mercedes. If they agree to buy it back, I am thinking of > getting a Saab 9-3 instead. I have a few questions: > > 1) Quality. I hate rattles (a huge problem in the Mercedes). Do 9-3s suffer > from squeaks, rattles etc? > 2) Navigation. I considered a 9-3 when I bought the C-Class, but at the time > it was not possible to get GPS navigation except a comical screen-on-stalk > affair from Magnettii-Marelli. Have Saab introduced factory inbuilt nav yet? > If so, is it any good? If not, is it possible to fit a DIN standard navsytem > such as a Becker Trafficpro? I seem to remember that Saabs do not have DIN > slots - is this still the case? > 3) I am thinking of getting the LPG option. Is this good? > 4) Autogearbox - is it an adaptive box? > > Any other advice appreciated. > >

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